The Woman You Thought Would Stay

Chapter 5 — Three Months Ago

I stared at the photo until my fingers started trembling.

Three months ago.

That was the same month Adrian proposed to me.

The same month he got down on one knee and promised that I was the only woman he wanted to spend his life with.

I looked at the picture again.

Adrian was sitting across from Mira at a restaurant.

They weren't touching.

They weren't kissing.

But there was something about the way they looked at each other that made my chest ache.

They looked comfortable.

Too comfortable.

I zoomed in.

There was a date printed at the bottom of the photo.

Three months before our engagement.

"Who are you?" I whispered to the person who had sent it.

No reply came.

I called the number.

It rang once.

Then went dead.

I tried again.

Nothing.

My mind was already racing.

Maybe there was an explanation.

There had to be.

Maybe they were discussing something about the wedding.

Maybe Mira had asked Adrian for advice.

Maybe—

I stopped myself.

I was making excuses for them before either of them had even explained themselves.

I hated that.

I opened my messages and typed Adrian's name.

I wanted to ask him immediately.

But my finger froze above the keyboard.

What if he lied?

What if the picture wasn't the whole story?

Or worse...

What if it was?

I put my phone down.

"Okay, Lia. Calm down."

I took a deep breath.

"Don't assume anything."

I repeated the words several times until I almost believed them.

Then my phone rang.

Mira.

I stared at her name.

For a few seconds, I considered ignoring the call.

But I answered.

"Hello?"

"Lia?"

Her voice sounded nervous.

"Yes?"

"Are you okay?"

I looked at the photo on my screen.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

There was silence.

"Nothing. You just sounded... different."

I forced a laugh.

"Pagod lang ako."

"Tired?"

"Yeah."

Another silence.

Then she asked, "Did something happen?"

I almost laughed.

The question felt cruel.

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

She exhaled.

"Okay. I was just worried."

I closed my eyes.

"Mira?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Have you and Adrian ever met alone?"

Silence.

Not the normal kind.

The kind that makes your stomach drop.

"Why are you asking that?"

"I just want to know."

"We've met for work."

"Only work?"

Her breathing changed.

"Lia, what are you talking about?"

I looked at the photo again.

"Nothing."

I ended the call.

My heart was pounding.

She hadn't answered.

That was enough to make me afraid.

But it wasn't enough to prove anything.

Not yet.

---

That evening, Adrian came to my apartment.

He walked in carrying flowers.

"These are for you."

I looked at the bouquet.

My favorite flowers.

"You remembered."

He smiled.

"Of course I did."

He kissed my forehead.

For a moment, everything felt normal again.

The man I loved was standing in front of me.

The same man who had held my hand when I was sick.

The same man who had stayed beside me when my father was hospitalized.

The same man who had promised to marry me.

I wanted to believe him.

So badly.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing."

He studied my face.

"You're quiet."

"I'm just tired."

He smiled.

"Come here."

He pulled me into his arms.

I closed my eyes.

His familiar scent surrounded me.

And for a few seconds, I forgot about the photo.

Then his phone vibrated.

He pulled away.

His eyes immediately went to the screen.

I watched him.

He didn't answer.

Instead, he turned the phone over.

"Work?" I asked.

"Yeah."

I nodded.

Then I noticed something.

A small smile appeared on his face.

It was quick.

Almost invisible.

But I saw it.

And suddenly, I remembered Mira's nervous voice.

I remembered the photograph.

I remembered the way Adrian had lied about where he was.

My heart sank.

"Adrian."

"Hmm?"

"Are you happy?"

He looked confused.

"Of course I am."

"With me?"

His expression softened.

"Why would you ask that?"

"Just answer me."

He took my hand.

"Of course I'm happy with you."

I looked into his eyes.

I wanted to believe him.

I really did.

But somewhere inside me, a small voice whispered:

Then why does it feel like I'm slowly losing you?

I didn't know the answer.

Not yet.

But I knew one thing.

I was going to find out.